Its handling is great too. The Ralliart offers up a modified suspension in the form of front MacPherson struts and a multi-link

An extremely slick 5-speed short-throw manual gearbox and semi-stiff clutch make the top-line Lancer a user-friendly yet ultra-feisty sports sedan. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

rear setup to provide its driver with optimal road-taming skills and a firm but not-too-rough ride. The rack-and-pinion steering further adds to its tight ride, exhibiting quick turn-in and excellent stability at higher speeds.

That responsive steering wheel works in concert with the car's extremely slick 5-speed short-throw manual gearbox and semi-stiff clutch, making the top-line Lancer a user-friendly yet ultra-feisty sports sedan. It's nice to get behind the wheel of a sporty car and not be beaten up by an overly harsh package. Shifting a notchy

Sixteen-inch Euro-flange aluminum alloy rims wrapped in 205/50R16 all-season rubber enhance the car's driving dynamics. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

gearbox, depressing a heavy clutch and sustaining a rigid chassis can sometimes be rough on the system, but not in the Ralliart. In this case, I was the bully and the Lancer my latest victim!

Four 205/50R16 all-season radials combine with 16-inch Euro-flange aluminum alloy rims to enhance the car's driving dynamics. The rubber commendably grips dry roads in tight turns and winding roadways. In the rain, however, traction was not as impressive. The tires didn't grip as well as I thought they should when accelerating from standstill. Braking in both wet and dry conditions, mind you, is short, quick and to the point, due to power-assisted 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS and EBD.